Change4good

know we have done these posts before, but I thought it would be good for the newcomers.

Biggest one for me. . .Not having alcohol consume so much of my thinking, which allows me to focus on important, lovely things. SOOO much time I spent worrying about having it, getting over it, and it ruining my life. That is gone.

Yours?

madgirl

Smarter (ha). Better sleep. Ive noticed my fingernails are strong and grow - they used to be brittle and fragile. Skin looks good. My hairdresser asked me just today "what are you doing? Your hair feels great!" An ability to rebound quicker after stressful situations. Calmer.

Darwinia

Feeling good early every morning.

HelenofTroy

I am on day five and this is my biggest goal. I am sick and tired of alcohol taking up so much real estate in my head.

ItWillBeWorthIt

The benefits are enormous - one of the biggest for me is

I have a quiet mind.

No voices, I am at peace and content.

It's a beautiful feeling that I will NEVER take for granted. :-)

tomsteve

no more self hatred
no more self pity
no more regretting tbe past
no more fits of rage
no more existing

i love myself
im ok with my past
im quite serene and love me some peace.
im living.

AND
i can laugh at myself!!!
sheeweee can i laugh at myself!!!
sometimes multiple times a day!

Volshen

I don't feel sick all of the time.

I am able to put 100% effort into my job.

I am able to afford an apartment.

The people in my life are beginning to trust me.

I am able to experience life without worrying all the time about when I can drink.

I will not be arrested for drunk driving because I don't do that anymore.

shockozulu

Going down to see the Dodgers take on their rivals the Giants with a busload of people, no alcohol allowed on board and its not a concern of mine. That's money I wouldn't have if I was still smoking, drinking and using.

I didn't think I'd like sobriety when I first quit, but I love it now.

Ooona

No more obsessing about things ) real and imagined) that people have done to me.

Picking out new bubbly drinks at the grocery store.

No more shakes when I pick up a bottle of water.

Giving myself pedis and manicures.

Better sex/ intimacy. Actually being romantic and actually being able to follow through with that without passing out.

Being able to look people in the eyes.

Waking up and remembering everything I did and said and no regrets.

Being able to take a phone call after 8 pm.

Not having to plan to get all of my errands done and alcohol purchased before 4 pm.

This life is a blessing and I am forever grateful to be experiencing this.

REsoberALITY

Amen to this! I felt the same way!

aasharon90

Giving back or passing on all the
ESH - experiences, strengths and
hopes from other members sharing
what their lives were like, are like,
before, during and after their addiction,
that was soooo freely passed on to
me over the past 26yrs. to countless
other members dealing with their own
struggles with addiction.

In doing so I continue to remain responsible
for my own recovery and live life in sobriety
with a purpose and passion in helping others
achieve a healthier, happier way of life.

Hevyn

All the good stuff has already been mentioned. I agree with you all.

I can't believe I spent so many years in a fog, trying to hide from troubles. Terrible things happened because of my inability to cope - I only made things worse for myself. Peace of mind and the knowledge that I can handle anything if I have a clear head are what I love most.

Dee74

Living versus simply existing

D

cwood3

I get to come on here and around you guys.............

Delilah1

Waking up each morning with a clear mind makes for much more productive and enjoyable days.

CajunPrincess

I love, love, LOVE being able to wake up in the mornings without a hangover and WAY more rested than I would have been had I drank the night before!

Being able to make plans with people before noon the next day because I won't be still sleeping off a hangover.

Being able to do fun, exciting things and really getting to BE there 100% and experience it.

Saving money

Able to put my time and energy into other life dreams/passions that I have. The. Best.

SoberJohn

Having my mind fully engaged with everything I do like a part of my brain that wasn't being used suddenly kicked in.

Elicia08

Besides all the wonderful things already mentioned, my money lasts a lot longer now!!

MelindaFlowers

That. I thought about alcohol all day, every day. I had to think about which store to go to. I couldn't go to the one I went to yesterday. How much to buy? I bought alcohol every day so I could ration the amount. I always bought just enough to pass out or blackout without leaving any left. I rarely, rarely ever woke up with alcohol in the house.

I feel totally fine in the mornings. No hangovers. I used to be hungover every day, all day.

I don't have to go to social media to see what I posted when I was drunk. I don't insult people anymore.

I am no longer scared about losing my job from being too hungover or angry at work because of the hangover.

kinzoku

I have always valued my FREEDOM above all else. But with booze I was not free. Now all of my decisions, bad and good, are my own. There is no price tag on that kind of thing.